WINCHESTER has again been nominated as among the best places to live in the UK, by a national newspaper.

More unusually the Meon Valley has also been included in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2019.

Both were eclipsed by Petworth in West Sussex which was named as best place to live in the southeast.

The accolade comes ahead of the full reveal of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, including the overall winner, which is published on Sunday, April 14.

The supplement assesses a wide range of factors, from employment, schools and broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops, in order to compile the definitive top locations to live.

The methodology uses robust statistics, including exclusive, up to date house prices provided by Habito and TwentyCi, but also the knowledge of The Sunday Times’s expert panel. The judges combine the hard data with their own on-the-ground experience and insight to ensure the chosen locations truly are places where everyone can thrive.

Petworth is proof that pretty and traditional doesn’t have to mean stuck in the past. The pretty, historic West Sussex town has been named Best Place to Live in the Southeast 2019 by the Sunday Times, thanks to its immaculate selection of historic houses, South Downs countryside and improving town centre, dominated by independent shops, galleries, delis and restaurants. The town prides itself on its community spirit, seen in regular knit-and-natter sessions to the many projects organised and inspired by the energetic local action group, Petworth Vision. The jewel in the crown is the Petworth Festival, a summer jamboree of international-class classical music.

Other chosen locations include Berkhamsted, Jericho in Oxford, the affluent commuter towns of Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Reigate and Cobham, as well as unspoilt country towns and villages including Brill, Charlbury and the Hambleden Valley in Buckinghamshire.

Helen Davies, Sunday Times home editor said: "Finding our very own best place to live now feels more important than ever, for our wellbeing and wealth, happiness and health. Wherever you are on the property ladder The Sunday Times has championed 101 locations across the UK, and crowned one lucky winner, that we think is a great place to make a home.

"This year we were looking for community spirit along with convenience and culture. There is so much going on around the country, and so many great places that the choice was a hard one."

Daniel Hegarty, founder and CEO at Habito, the online mortgage broker, said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live really is essential reading for anyone looking to buy, move or renovate their home in the UK.

“We know there are many reasons, beyond house prices, why people live where they live in the South East. But, regardless of location, getting a mortgage can be the most hellish part of buying. Habito exists to make mortgages easier - whether that’s for a new build in Oxford, a loft-conversion in Berkhamsted or a forever home in Petworth.”

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live: Southeast

Place, Starter home price, Mid-market price, Top of the range price.

Petworth, West Sussex: £274,750 (£1,070 pcm), £432,880 (£1,345 pcm), £1,164,850 (£1,830 pcm);

Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire: £351,710 (£1,030 pcm), £634,820 (£1,730 pcm), £1,007,830 (£2,235 pcm);

Bramley, Shamley Green (and Cranleigh), Surrey: £343,720 (£915 pcm), £574,160 (£1,725 pcm), £1,070,110 (£1,320 pcm);

Brill, Buckinghamshire: £223,260 (£830 pcm), £467,010 (£1,225 pcm), £831,560 (£1,810 pcm);

Charlbury, Oxfordshire: £376,760 (£865 pcm), £353,050 (£1,150 pcm), £760,120 (£1,990 pcm);

Cobham, Surrey: £401,880 (£1,295 pcm), £672,800 (£2,365 pcm), £1,432,120 (£4,335 pcm);

Cuckfield, West Sussex: n/a, n/a, n/a;

Hambleden Valley, Buckinghamshire: (£1,080 pcm) £731,130, (£2,850 pcm), £1,647,930 (£2,695 pcm);

Meon Valley, Hampshire: £191,630 (£730 pcm), £326,480 (£1,080 pcm), £537,190 (£1,495 pcm);

Jericho, Oxford: £530,890 (£1,650 pcm), £1,732,830 (£4,260 pcm), £4,310,220 (£2,315 pcm);

Reigate, Surrey: £284,350 (£1,015pcm), £483,780 (£1,525 pcm), £816,890 (£2,130 pcm);

Sevenoaks, Kent: £343,510 (£1,080 pcm), £515,460 (£2,850 pcm), £930,120 (£2,695 pcm);

Tunbridge Wells, Kent: £271,290 (£904 pcm), £448,940 (£1,325 pcm), £807,020 (£2,050 pcm);

Winchester, Hampshire: £322,730 (£1,035 pcm), £502,960 (£1,800 pcm), £863,510 (£2,015 pcm);

The Witterings, West Sussex: £227,560 (£745 pcm), £347,780 (£1,030 pcm), £624,800 (£1,330 pcm).